Online Master's Degree in Nursing

At Kaplan University, we are committed to preparing our Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) students for the demands of the profession today and the challenges of tomorrow. Our online master’s in nursing is designed for nurses who desire to advance to the next level in their careers and pursue a growing number of opportunities for professional and personal fulfillment, such as management positions or advanced practice nursing.*

Why Should You Earn a Master’s Degree in Nursing at Kaplan University?

We offer a structured program, designed with the flexibility needed for nurses to balance work and life responsibilities with their studies

Prepare for managerial positions and advanced practice roles

Specialize in areas such as nurse educator or executive leader, or in the adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner or family nurse practitioner, primary care population focus areas

At this time, residents of Tennessee may not enroll in the nurse educator concentration or executive leader concentration.Residents of the following states may not enroll in the adult-gerontology nurse practitioner and family nurse practitioner population focus areas: Arkansas, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia. In addition, residents of Kansas may not enroll in the adult-gerontology nurse practitioner population focus area.

Prepare for Certification

Nursing credentials demonstrate your adherence to a higher standard and may be a condition for employment in nursing.†‡

Executive leader concentration: Upon completion of the executive leader concentration, you may be eligible to sit for the Nurse Executive or the Nurse Executive, Advanced certification examinations if you also meet the eligibility requirements of the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Nurse educator concentration: Upon completion of the nurse educator concentration, you may be prepared to sit for the National League for Nursing's Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) examination and/or the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Nursing Professional Development board certification examination.

Family nurse practitioner population focus area: Upon completion of the family nurse practitioner focus area, you may be eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Family Nurse Practitioner certification or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners’ Family Nurse Practitioner certification. These are primary care certifications.

Adult-gerontology nurse practitioner population focus area: Upon completion of the adult-gerontology nurse practitioner focus area, you may be eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners’ Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification.

Pathways

Specialized educational degrees in a particular division of nursing can help you increase your opportunities in today's competitive health care field. Our concentration and population focus areas are designed to provide you with specific knowledge and skills to help advance your nursing career.

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner: Explore how to promote holistic health care to members of the adult and older adult population through assessment, diagnosis, and comprehensive treatment of chronic health problems. Prepare to serve as an advocate for clients as they navigate the health care system. Students will complete 640 hours of clinical experiences in which theoretical knowledge is applied to members of the target population under the supervision of a qualified preceptor and faculty.**

Family Nurse Practitioner: Explore how to promote holistic health care to adults and children in a family systems context through the assessment, diagnosis, and management of chronic health problems. Prepare to serve as advocates for clients as they navigate the health care system. Students will complete 640 hours of clinical experiences in which theoretical knowledge is applied to members of the target population under the supervision of a qualified preceptor and faculty.**

Executive Leader: Focus on the principles of personnel management, policy development and implementation, budgeting, and the use of information technology in advanced nursing roles. Prepare for administrative or managerial positions and leadership roles in health care systems. Students will complete a practicum experience during which he or she will work with a preceptor who is an experienced seasoned nurse administrator in the contemporary health care setting.

Nurse Educator: Focus on developing courses and programs that integrate nursing and educational philosophy. Examine the applications and ethical and legal issues related to the use of technology in teaching. Analyze assessment, measurement, and evaluation methods used in nursing education. Prepare for a faculty or educator role in colleges or schools of nursing, continuing education programs, staff development, clinical education, and patient and community education. Explore strategies for developing effective educational experiences. Students will complete a clinical experience during which he or she will work with a preceptor who is a seasoned nurse educator in the contemporary health care or educational setting.

What are the Career Opportunities?

Kaplan University's Master of Science in Nursing allows you to study online and earn the credentials to pursue career advancement in administrative, education staff development, and advanced practice roles.§ The Master of Science in Nursing is also a foundation for future doctoral studies.#

What Is the Difference Between a BSN and an MSN Degree Path?

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the first step to earning an advanced-level degree.# Some nursing careers, such as management and advanced practice registered nurse roles, specifically require a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). While a BSN can open many doors for nurses, an MSN is best suited for those looking to specialize in a certain division of the profession.†

Total Core Credits: 30

Total Program Credits: 60

This course explores skills and strategies essential to successful advanced nursing role implementation. Analysis of existing and emerging roles provides a foundation for selection of an individual advanced role specialization and an individual career development plan. Emphasis will be on the articulation of issues specific to the advanced nurse role in practice, administration, education, and informatics.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

This course explores the evolution of nursing, social science, education, and behavioral science theories and their contribution to the care of individuals, families, and the community. The utility of conceptual models are examined for application to executive, education, and practice leadership.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

This course presents an evidence-based approach to promote high-value, safe, and effective health care. The focus is on the assessment of levels of evidence to evaluate emerging health issues, develop competencies in analysis, translate evidence into practice, and explore evidence-based practice innovations. Qualitative and quantitative methods of inquiry and associated statistical analyses are identified. Strategies to create an environment for the integration of evidence-based practice to support executive, education, and practice leadership are identified.

Credits:

Prerequisites Required:

This course provides an opportunity to analyze major ethical theories and those principles underlying direct and indirect care of individuals, families, and communities. Selected concepts, principles, and cases involving legal aspects of care within a framework of critical decision making for advanced nursing roles will be examined. The development and influence of health policy issues on the health care of individuals, families, and populations will be analyzed.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

The course will focus on the dynamic, complex, and integrated health care system and organizational imperatives to deliver high-value, safe and effective health care based on industry standards, key outcome indicators, and cost-quality imperatives. The organization and delivery of health care is explored, including business aspects of health care systems and pertinent financial issues in the relationship between policy and health care system reform. Strategies to develop leadership roles in professional nursing organizations, legislative bodies, and community/consumer organizations will be identified. Various health care delivery systems and reimbursement models will be presented.

Total Electives Credits: 30

Total Program Credits: 60

Credits:

Prerequisites Required:

Choose Your Courses Below

Total Core Credits: 30

Total Program Credits: 90

This course explores skills and strategies essential to successful advanced nursing role implementation. Analysis of existing and emerging roles provides a foundation for selection of an individual advanced role specialization and an individual career development plan. Emphasis will be on the articulation of issues specific to the advanced nurse role in practice, administration, education, and informatics.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

This course explores the evolution of nursing, social science, education, and behavioral science theories and their contribution to the care of individuals, families, and the community. The utility of conceptual models are examined for application to executive, education, and practice leadership.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

This course presents an evidence-based approach to promote high-value, safe, and effective health care. The focus is on the assessment of levels of evidence to evaluate emerging health issues, develop competencies in analysis, translate evidence into practice, and explore evidence-based practice innovations. Qualitative and quantitative methods of inquiry and associated statistical analyses are identified. Strategies to create an environment for the integration of evidence-based practice to support executive, education, and practice leadership are identified.

Credits:

Prerequisites Required:

This course provides an opportunity to analyze major ethical theories and those principles underlying direct and indirect care of individuals, families, and communities. Selected concepts, principles, and cases involving legal aspects of care within a framework of critical decision making for advanced nursing roles will be examined. The development and influence of health policy issues on the health care of individuals, families, and populations will be analyzed.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

The course will focus on the dynamic, complex, and integrated health care system and organizational imperatives to deliver high-value, safe and effective health care based on industry standards, key outcome indicators, and cost-quality imperatives. The organization and delivery of health care is explored, including business aspects of health care systems and pertinent financial issues in the relationship between policy and health care system reform. Strategies to develop leadership roles in professional nursing organizations, legislative bodies, and community/consumer organizations will be identified. Various health care delivery systems and reimbursement models will be presented.

Total Program Credits: 90

Credits:

Prerequisites Required:

Choose Your Courses Below

Total Core Credits: 30

Total Program Credits: 90

This course explores skills and strategies essential to successful advanced nursing role implementation. Analysis of existing and emerging roles provides a foundation for selection of an individual advanced role specialization and an individual career development plan. Emphasis will be on the articulation of issues specific to the advanced nurse role in practice, administration, education, and informatics.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

This course explores the evolution of nursing, social science, education, and behavioral science theories and their contribution to the care of individuals, families, and the community. The utility of conceptual models are examined for application to executive, education, and practice leadership.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

This course presents an evidence-based approach to promote high-value, safe, and effective health care. The focus is on the assessment of levels of evidence to evaluate emerging health issues, develop competencies in analysis, translate evidence into practice, and explore evidence-based practice innovations. Qualitative and quantitative methods of inquiry and associated statistical analyses are identified. Strategies to create an environment for the integration of evidence-based practice to support executive, education, and practice leadership are identified.

Credits:

Prerequisites Required:

This course provides an opportunity to analyze major ethical theories and those principles underlying direct and indirect care of individuals, families, and communities. Selected concepts, principles, and cases involving legal aspects of care within a framework of critical decision making for advanced nursing roles will be examined. The development and influence of health policy issues on the health care of individuals, families, and populations will be analyzed.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

The course will focus on the dynamic, complex, and integrated health care system and organizational imperatives to deliver high-value, safe and effective health care based on industry standards, key outcome indicators, and cost-quality imperatives. The organization and delivery of health care is explored, including business aspects of health care systems and pertinent financial issues in the relationship between policy and health care system reform. Strategies to develop leadership roles in professional nursing organizations, legislative bodies, and community/consumer organizations will be identified. Various health care delivery systems and reimbursement models will be presented.

Total Executive Leader Concentration Credits: 30

Total Program Credits: 60

This course exposes students to organizational theory and behavior and competencies essential for successful leadership and management roles in a global health care delivery system. There is emphasis on self-analysis and strategies for best practice to effectively implement key leadership and management concepts in dynamic health care environments.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

Completion of all core courses in the Master of Science in Nursing or prior completion of a master’s degree with an upper-level major in nursing

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This course examines macro- and microeconomics in profit and nonprofit health care organizations for nonfinancial managers. An analysis of decision making and strategic planning focuses the nursing leader toward plans that effectively promote success in dynamic health care environments. Conceptual and descriptive approaches are utilized to provide an overview of current practices and notable advances in strategic management. A budget is created within a case study model, allowing analysis of potential and actual budget variations.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

Completion of all core courses in the Master of Science in Nursing or prior completion of a master’s degree with an upper-level major in nursing

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This course presents a managerial overview of various aspects of personnel management in a fiscally responsible environment. Activities are designed to familiarize students with recruiting, training, and retaining the best employees; ensuring high performance; and conforming practices to various regulations. Exercises designed to develop ability in personnel policy development and implementation are offered.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

Completion of all core courses in the Master of Science in Nursing or prior completion of a master’s degree with an upper-level major in nursing

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This course focuses on the strategic application of information technology in health care organizations by administrative and advanced practice nursing leaders. Students will explain the role of executive-level practitioner management in planning and operationalizing technologies to enhance health care technology data efficiency; evaluate the challenges of virtualization management models and the requirements for innovative and effective alternatives in health care reform; and critique the legal and ethical oversight responsibilities of the executive nurse when engaging and managing a comprehensive, systematic electronic medical record project.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

Completion of all core courses in the Master of Science in Nursing or prior completion of a master’s degree with an upper-level major in nursing

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

As a culmination of the theories in nursing, evidence-based decision making, health policy, finance, health care delivery systems, practice issues, ethics, health promotion, disease prevention, and biostatistics, you will develop a manuscript eligible for publication in a professional nursing journal. The content of this manuscript will reflect your clinical project paper and its outcomes from your prior nursing courses.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

Completion of all core courses in the Master of Science in Nursing or prior completion of a master’s degree with an upper-level major in nursing, and completion of all specialization courses; students may not concurrently register for MN 519, MN 520, MN 534, or MN 599

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

Choose Your Courses Below

Total Nurse Educator Concentration Credits: 30

Total Program Credits: 60

This course explores the advanced nursing practice teaching roles of educating patients and families, health care professionals, and nursing students. Teaching and learning theories are examined as well as teaching strategies and factors that impact learners.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

None

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This course provides content and learning experiences that enable you to comprehend and apply the curriculum development process and assessment and evaluation strategies. You will design, deliver, and evaluate an education program for an audience (patients, staff, or nursing students) and specialty topic of your choice.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

MN 523

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This course addresses the theoretical principles and practical application of advanced physical assessment and history-taking throughout the lifespan. Relationships between assessment findings and underlying physiology and pathophysiology to the healthy and unhealthy client are investigated. Emphasis is on developing critical diagnostic thinking through interpretation of subjective and objective data, identification of normal and abnormal conditions, and the systematic reporting of summative findings. Clinical judgment and clinical reasoning skills are used in establishing differential diagnoses. Students will learn to address variables such as age, culture, ethnicity, and developmental stages into their differential diagnosis and evaluation and management plans.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

MN 551 and MN 553

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This course integrates essential knowledge for advanced nursing practice of physiology and pathophysiology, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and genomics across the lifespan. Function and dysfunction of organ systems are analyzed from the cellular level through the integrated organ level. You will examine the pathophysiological factors that influence the incidence and manifestations of acute, episodic, and chronic diseases in populations across the lifespan. Disease processes and symptom management approaches are investigated utilizing an evidence-based approach. Influences of gender, genetic, ethnic, cultural, and temporal variables of human disease are analyzed. Communication and teaching plans for patients and/or families will be explored for pathological states and both prescriptive and non-prescriptive drug therapies.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

None

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This course explores the advanced nursing practice roles of change agent and leader to influence health care outcomes for individuals, populations, or systems. A synthesis of the MSN and nurse educator program outcomes will be applied to an evidence-based practice project aimed at improving health care outcomes. All projects include a teaching component for patients and/or their families or other health care professionals. Students complete 100 clinical hours for this course.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

MN 523 and MN 524

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

In this course, students continue to explore the advanced nursing practice roles of change agent and leader through completion, evaluation, and dissemination of their evidenced- based practice project to influence health care outcomes for individuals, populations, or systems. Students complete 100 clinical practicum hours for this course.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

MN 590

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

Total Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Population Focus Area Credits: 60

Total Program Credits: 90

This course integrates knowledge of advanced physiology and pathophysiology across the lifespan and the clinical implications for the advanced practice nurse. Function and dysfunction of organ systems are analyzed from the cellular level through the integrated organ level. Students will examine the pathophysiological factors that influence the incidence and manifestations of acute, episodic, and chronic diseases in populations across the lifespan. Disease processes and symptom management approaches are investigated utilizing an evidence-based approach. Influences of gender, genetic, ethnic, cultural, and temporal variables of human disease are analyzed.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

Completion of all MSN core courses

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This course addresses the theoretical principles and practical application of advanced physical assessment and history-taking throughout the lifespan. Relationships between assessment findings and underlying physiology and pathophysiology to the healthy and unhealthy client are investigated. Emphasis is on developing critical diagnostic thinking through interpretation of subjective and objective data, identification of normal and abnormal conditions, and the systematic reporting of summative findings. Clinical judgment and clinical reasoning skills are used in establishing differential diagnoses. Students will learn to address variables such as age, culture, ethnicity, and developmental stages into their differential diagnosis and evaluation and management plans.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

MN 551 and MN 553

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This course integrates advanced knowledge of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and genomics across the lifespan and prepares the advanced practice nurse to prescribe pharmacotherapeutics safely and effectively. You will examine ethical, legal, regulatory, and cost-effective prescribing practices of the advanced practice nurse. Communication plans for the interdisciplinary team, clients, and/or families for both prescriptive and nonprescriptive drug therapies will be explored.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

MN 551; can be taken as a corequisite

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This course examines the range of acute and chronic conditions experienced by clients in the primary care setting which are within the scope of practice of the primary care nurse practitioner. You will develop a consistent approach to screening, assessment, utilization of diagnostic procedures, diagnosis, symptom management, disease treatment, and health promotion activities. Content builds upon previous diagnostic knowledge and clinical reasoning skills in the development of differential diagnosis and appropriate diagnostic workups. Age-appropriate, culturally sensitive, evidence-based plans of care are created. Communication skills and cooperative relationships with patients, families, and an interdisciplinary health care team approach is emphasized. The course explores health promotion and health maintenance approaches and strategies that incorporate individual health beliefs and practices.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

Prerequisites/Corequisites: MN 505 and MN 552

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This course will focus on the primary care of clients from age 12 to late adulthood. The focus will be on gaining competence in understanding acute and chronic illnesses and their management. Health promotion, screening, and risk management is presented as integral to the primary care focus. Interdisciplinary team building for the care of the client is introduced.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

MN 566

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This clinical course introduces beginning skills in assessing, diagnosing, and treating common acute and chronic health conditions in the client aged 12 years through adulthood. The focus will be on pharmcologic and nonpharmcologic interventions as well as health promotion, screening, and lifestyle modification techniques.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

MN 572; course may also be taken as a corequisite

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This course will focus on primary health care specific to female clients. Focus will be on reproductive health maintenance, pregnancy prevention and management, care of the menopausal woman, and the assessment, diagnosis, and management of conditions specific to the female. Contemporary trends and issues that impact women's health status will be discussed.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

MN 566; course may also be taken as a corequisite

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This clinical course will focus on the unique needs of women across the lifespan. The unique care of women will be approached with attention to the psychosocial, ethnic, and cultural influences that affect physical and mental health. A collaborative approach to care will be employed.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

MN 576

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This course addresses the physical and psychosocial health and function of the frail elderly adult. Biologic, psychosocial, and social theories of aging will be explored. Strategies to promote health, minimize disability, and maximize quality of life within the context of independent living, assisted living environments, and skilled care facilities will be introduced. Alternatives to institutionalized care will be explored. Assessment and management of acute and chronic health conditions specific to the frail elderly will be discussed. Palliative care for terminal conditions will be addressed. Financial issues specific to the frail elderly will be analyzed.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

MN 577; can be taken as corequisite

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This clinical course will provide opportunity for students to assess, diagnose, and manage treatment of acute and chronic disease in the frail elderly. Adaptive interventions to meet the complex needs of the frail elderly arising from normal changes in the developmental stages of aging, multiple system dysfunction, psychosocial, and financial issues will be utilized. Optimizing a collaborative relationship with the client, caregiver, and other members of the health care team will be discussed.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

MN 584; course may also be taken as a corequisite

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This course completes the summative process for students to design and develop their individual role as an advanced practice nurse in primary care. Various careers available to the advanced practice registered nurse will be explored. Professional advocacy activities will be demonstrated. The student will differentiate between supervised, collaborative, and independent practice models. Malpractice and scope of practice issues specific to the primary care nurse practitioner role will be analyzed. Entrepreneurial opportunities for primary care nurse practitioners will be explored.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

MN 581 or MN 585

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This clinical course focuses on the clinical application of assessment, differential diagnosis, symptom management, and disease treatment in the primary care setting. You are expected to assess and manage common acute episodic and chronic health illnesses across gender and age span in consultation with your clinical preceptor. Initiation of health promotion and health maintenance activities with individuals and groups is stressed. This final clinical experience enables you to synthesize skills and knowledge gained across the curriculum.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

Final term and MN 581 or MN 585

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

Total Family Nurse Practitioner Population Focus Area Credits: 60

Total Program Credits: 90

This course integrates knowledge of advanced physiology and pathophysiology across the lifespan and the clinical implications for the advanced practice nurse. Function and dysfunction of organ systems are analyzed from the cellular level through the integrated organ level. Students will examine the pathophysiological factors that influence the incidence and manifestations of acute, episodic, and chronic diseases in populations across the lifespan. Disease processes and symptom management approaches are investigated utilizing an evidence-based approach. Influences of gender, genetic, ethnic, cultural, and temporal variables of human disease are analyzed.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

Completion of all MSN core courses

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This course addresses the theoretical principles and practical application of advanced physical assessment and history-taking throughout the lifespan. Relationships between assessment findings and underlying physiology and pathophysiology to the healthy and unhealthy client are investigated. Emphasis is on developing critical diagnostic thinking through interpretation of subjective and objective data, identification of normal and abnormal conditions, and the systematic reporting of summative findings. Clinical judgment and clinical reasoning skills are used in establishing differential diagnoses. Students will learn to address variables such as age, culture, ethnicity, and developmental stages into their differential diagnosis and evaluation and management plans.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

MN 551 and MN 553

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This course integrates advanced knowledge of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and genomics across the lifespan and prepares the advanced practice nurse to prescribe pharmacotherapeutics safely and effectively. You will examine ethical, legal, regulatory, and cost-effective prescribing practices of the advanced practice nurse. Communication plans for the interdisciplinary team, clients, and/or families for both prescriptive and nonprescriptive drug therapies will be explored.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

MN 551; can be taken as a corequisite

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This course examines the range of acute and chronic conditions experienced by clients in the primary care setting which are within the scope of practice of the primary care nurse practitioner. You will develop a consistent approach to screening, assessment, utilization of diagnostic procedures, diagnosis, symptom management, disease treatment, and health promotion activities. Content builds upon previous diagnostic knowledge and clinical reasoning skills in the development of differential diagnosis and appropriate diagnostic workups. Age-appropriate, culturally sensitive, evidence-based plans of care are created. Communication skills and cooperative relationships with patients, families, and an interdisciplinary health care team approach is emphasized. The course explores health promotion and health maintenance approaches and strategies that incorporate individual health beliefs and practices.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

Prerequisites/Corequisites: MN 505 and MN 552

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This second course in a series of three examines the range of illnesses and conditions experienced by clients across the lifespan and gender in primary care settings. Illustration of a consistent approach to the evaluation and management of these illnesses and conditions are emphasized. You will expand your diagnostic and clinical reasoning and differential diagnoses abilities through continued application of new and previously acquired knowledge and skills in caring for clients who present acute, episodic, and chronic illness and conditions. You will formulate evidence-based management plans that address client health beliefs, developmental and family lifecycle stages, health promotion, screening, and health maintenance behaviors. Collaborative relationships with the client, family, and intradisciplinary health care team are emphasized. Oral and written skills using advanced technology are emphasized.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

MN 566

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This introductory course will provide students with the foundation of critical thought process in differential diagnosis. Common acute and chronic illness across the lifespan will be discussed. Common risk assessment, screening, and lifestyle modification will be presented. Introduction to paper and computerized documentation in the primary care setting will begin. Students will begin to develop collaborative skills involving the client, family, and the intradisciplinary health care team.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

MN 568; course may also be taken as a corequisite

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This course will focus on primary health care specific to female clients. Focus will be on reproductive health maintenance, pregnancy prevention and management, care of the menopausal woman, and the assessment, diagnosis, and management of conditions specific to the female. Contemporary trends and issues that impact women's health status will be discussed.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

MN 566; course may also be taken as a corequisite

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This clinical course will focus on the unique needs of women across the lifespan. The unique care of women will be approached with attention to the psychosocial, ethnic, and cultural influences that affect physical and mental health. A collaborative approach to care will be employed.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

MN 576

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

The course will focus on the primary health care of individuals from birth to age 21 years. Assessment, diagnosis, and management of common acute and chronic health care issues will be explored. Health maintenance, screening, and anticipatory guidance with a focus on involving and educating parents, as appropriate, will be included. Assessment skills learning will include physical, psychosocial, mental health, and genetic/familial issues.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

MN 577; can be taken as corequisite

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This clinical course will allow the student nurse practitioner opportunity to assess, diagnose, and manage acute and chronic health care issues in the pediatric and adolescent population in a primary care setting. Health maintenance, screening, and anticipatory guidance activities will take place in collaboration with the preceptor. Collaboration, communication, and referral with other health care and social service organizations will be conducted as part of a team approach to management.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

MN 580

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This course completes the summative process for students to design and develop their individual role as an advanced practice nurse in primary care. Various careers available to the advanced practice registered nurse will be explored. Professional advocacy activities will be demonstrated. The student will differentiate between supervised, collaborative, and independent practice models. Malpractice and scope of practice issues specific to the primary care nurse practitioner role will be analyzed. Entrepreneurial opportunities for primary care nurse practitioners will be explored.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

MN 581 or MN 585

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

This clinical course focuses on the clinical application of assessment, differential diagnosis, symptom management, and disease treatment in the primary care setting. You are expected to assess and manage common acute episodic and chronic health illnesses across gender and age span in consultation with your clinical preceptor. Initiation of health promotion and health maintenance activities with individuals and groups is stressed. This final clinical experience enables you to synthesize skills and knowledge gained across the curriculum.

Credits:

5

Prerequisites Required:

Final term and MN 581 or MN 585

Specialization courses are completed within the open electives requirement of the degree plan.

Choose Your Courses Below

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†Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Registered Nurses, on the Internet www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Registered-nurses.htm. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.

‡Although certain programs at Kaplan University are designed to prepare students to take various certification or licensing exams, the University cannot guarantee the student will pass those exams. In some cases, field experience, additional coursework, and/or background checks may be necessary to take or to successfully pass the exams. Students should research the requirements in the state in which they intend to seek employment.

§Kaplan University cannot guarantee employment or career advancement.

#While many of Kaplan University's degree programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue continued bachelor-, graduate- or doctorate-level education, the University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any programs.

**Please note that most states require nurses to be nationally certified in order to obtain licensure as a nurse practitioner. Students are responsible for determining whether they will be eligible for state Board of Nursing approval and certification as a nurse practitioner or advanced practice nurse in their state. Students can obtain additional information from their state's Board of Nursing, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).